The A-10 Thunderbolt II, known affectionately as a Warthog, is a close air support vehicle with the ability to carry a large load of munitions, loiter in a large combat zone for long periods of time, maintain maneuverability at low air speeds and low altitudes, and survive direct hits. Thunderbolts are single-seat aircraft with the cockpit set forward of the wings and with a large bubble canopy that provides pilots all-around vision.

Pilots and parts of the flight-control system are protected by titanium armor, redundant primary structural sections, and self-sealing fuel cells that allow the aircraft to survive direct hits from armor-piercing and high explosive projectiles up to 23mm. Manual systems back up the redundant hydraulic flight-control systems, allowing pilots to fly when hydraulics are is lost.